Automated dispensing and assembly process for a food item

A method of assembling a food or beverage item including a plurality of components ordered by a customer, comprising the steps of:

• receiving details of the food item at a controller;
• determining the plurality of components required for the food or beverage item in the controller;
• operating the controller activate an indicator associated with a dispenser for each of the plurality of components, wherein the dispensers is a pump driven flowable food product dispenser operable to dispense at least one flowable food product and the indicator is integrated into the dispenser;
• adding each of the components to the food or beverage item as indicated by the activated indicator;
• deactivating the indicator after the component has been added to the food or beverage item;
• and
• completing the food or beverage product once all of the indicators have been deactivated.

A system for directing the assembly of a food or beverage item ordered by a consumer, the food item including a plurality of components, comprising:

• a starting point device including a controller;
• and
• a plurality of pump driven flowable food product dispensers each including an internal storage area for at least one of the plurality of components and an indicator integrated into the dispenser,
• wherein the controller is configured to:
• receive details of the food or beverage item;
• determine the plurality of components required for the food or beverage item;
• communicate to the plurality of dispensers such that the indicator integrated into each of the dispenser for the plurality of components is activated;
• deactivate the indicator after the component has been added to the food or beverage item;
• and
• indicate completion of the food or beverage item once all of the indicators have been deactivated.